Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reportedly dismissed two of his most senior aides on Wednesday, marking a dramatic shift amid his ambitious plan to overhaul the department.
Chief of Staff Heather Flick Melanson and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Hannah Anderson were both removed, just months into their tenure, according to a department spokesperson.
Matt Buckham, previously serving as the White House liaison at HHS, was immediately promoted to acting chief of staff. A longtime Kennedy loyalist, Mr. Buckham is expected to help the Secretary manage the sweeping structural reforms Mr. Kennedy has proposed.
“I’m confident Matt will bring stability and energy to the department,” said an HHS spokesperson, signaling leadership would remain intact during what is likely to be a tumultuous period.
Since his appointment, Mr. Kennedy has spearheaded plans to reorganize HHS, a sprawling agency overseeing public health, disease control, and health data systems.
Among the proposals is an ambitious, though legally contested, program to cut thousands of jobs across the department.
A federal judge earlier this month blocked the restructuring, which also includes the earlier dismissal of all 17 members of the independent advisory panel to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — a move both praised and criticized as Mr. Kennedy replaced them with handpicked appointees.
Although no specific rationale was offered for the dismissals of Ms. Melanson and Ms. Anderson, their exits come as the department braces for deeper changes and growing scrutiny over its direction and leadership. “It’s part of an ongoing effort to align leadership responsibility with organizational goals,” said one senior staff member.
Critics have raised concerns about Mr. Kennedy’s leadership style, especially given his long history of vaccine skepticism.
The sudden firings are among several recent personnel shake-ups, which have unsettled both career staff and outside stakeholders.
The broader strategy envisions transferring key functions—such as vaccine development and student loan oversight—to other agencies or state-level programs.
Officials lament that the judge’s ruling has stalled implementation, though they maintain the changes are critical to streamlining the government.
The restructuring appointment last month of Mr. Buckham, who oversaw political appointments as White House liaison, suggests Mr. Kennedy is doubling down on a staffing approach centered on political loyalty.
The removals of two senior staffers follow a string of high-profile departures and downgrades within HHS, including the resignation of its top spokesperson earlier this year.
Proponents of Mr. Kennedy’s plan argue that it represents a bold reboot, challenging what they see as a bloated bureaucracy. Opponents warn it risks undercutting vital public health infrastructure.
As Kennedy pushes forward, the direction of the nation’s health machinery—during a time of persistent outbreaks and vaccine debate—hangs in the balance.
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